Atrial Fibrillation, also known as AFib, is one of the most common heart rhythm disturbances that people suffer from. In this condition, the upper chambers of the heart start to pump and contract randomly rather than follow a set sequence. This causes one’s heartbeat to become irregular and abnormally fast, which can cause various issues, including an increased risk for heart attack or a stroke.

Getting diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can be quite daunting, however like all medical conditions, understanding the condition itself can be helpful in managing it.

Symptoms

The most common symptom for AFib is feeling heart palpitations; these are often described as feeling a “flutter” or quiver in your heartbeat. Other common symptoms include feeling fatigue and weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweatiness, faintness, and even chest pains.

Chest pain and feeling pressure in the chest are also symptoms of a heart attack, so never take this symptom casually, and book a GP on demand appointment immediately in case of chest pains.

Risk Factors

There are various reasons that AFib can evolve, however certain people are more at risk to developing this condition. The chances of developing AFib increase as age increases. Moreover, certain pre-existing conditions like heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, kidney disease (visit sites like thekidneydocs.com/ for additional guidance), obesity, and high blood pressure can also increase chances of developing AFib. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk.

Management and Treatment

Living with AFib is not easy, however the condition is quite manageable. There are lifestyle changes you can adopt to minimize the risk of your AFib turning into a more serious problem. Doctors and researchers may also conduct studies using live cell or tissue samples supplied by companies like https://lnhlifesciences.org/research-tissue to further understand this condition and come up with new treatments.

Among lifestyle changes, the most important thing is to develop a healthy eating habit. Make sure to add a lot of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Other than this, your diet can contain nuts, lentils, whole grains, and lean protein. It is also preferred that you consume unsaturated fat instead of saturated or trans-fat. Drink lots and lots of water.

It is also important to cut out certain foods that are considered unhealthy, like processed foods and added sugar. Caffeine and alcohol should also be cut out from your diet; if that is difficult, make sure to minimize the consumption of both these drinks as much as possible.

Lifestyle changes might not be enough to manage your AFib though. Your doctor can also prescribe you medication like beta blockers to keep your heart rate under control. You might also be prescribed anticoagulants like Eliquis to reduce the risk of strokes. It is extremely important to always keep up with prescribed medicines, and to not miss out on or change any dosage. Do not start or stop taking any medication especially anticoagulants without a doctor’s recommendation.

Prescription medicine is costly; in case your doctor suggests medication to treat your AFib, it is important to plan your budget effectively, as well as do proper research. As with most medicines, Eliquis cost in Canada is far lower than in the US, so careful research can save you a lot of money as well as stress.